About the Retired Leaders Fund...
The Retired Leaders Fund provides long-term financial support to Tomoe Katagiri, widow of Hokyoji founder Dainin Katagiri. Many people know Tomoe as the widow of our founding teacher; she is also an accomplished master of traditional Buddhist sewing, handed down from before the time of Dogen-zenji in the 1200s. While residing in San Francisco during the 1960s, with Katagiri-roshi watching over their small children, she learned this ancient style of Buddhist sewing from her teacher, Eshun Yoshida-roshi. We are lucky to have this great Buddhist teacher in our lives.
Tomoe’s support is provided through the Retired Leaders Fund, a fund established to provide retirement support for teachers or their spouses employed by Minnesota Zen Meditation Center during its developmental period under its founding abbot, Dainin Katagiri. To that end, Hokyoji organizes and conducts an annual pledge campaign and monitors both the amount and status of pledges made and fulfilled and the level of support Tomoe needs. Existing donors receive a yearly reminder of their pledges, and the support base is expanded as new donors are identified and contacted about opportunities for giving. Committee delegates meet regularly with Tomoe-san to review her needs and ensure an adequate level of financial support. All money donated to the Retired Leaders Fund is kept in a separate bank account and is not used for any other purpose.
April 2025 Letter
Dear Friends,
Another year has passed and our Good Friend Tomoe Katagiri is still living her life with gusto.
The Retired Leaders’ Fund was established soon after Katagiri-Roshi’s death in 1990 to fulfill his heartfelt wish that his dear wife, Tomoe, would be financially supported by the maha-sangha in his absence. Originally administered by the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, this fund has been managed by Hokyoji Zen Practice Community since 2004. This has been done with great joy, as doing this work gives us the opportunity to express our deep appreciation and love for Tomoe-san and all she has given to us through her life of steadfast practice. She has shared the dharma as a Zen sewing teacher as well as through her virtuous life with all who have crossed paths with her.
On February 16th, Tomoe-san completed her 93rd year. She is forgetful at times and mostly communicates in Japanese but still understands English and at times speaks in English to her non-Japanese friends. She continues to live with her son Yasuhiko and his wife Christy. Yas watches his grandson Kaito a few days a week; he is now 3 ½ and is a very happy go lucky kid. Tomoe thoroughly enjoys it when Kaito is around. As you might imagine Yas and Christy have their hands full. Luckily, home healthcare aids come most weekdays to assist Tomoe-san with daily life routines. She has also been receiving 2 meals per day from Meals on Wheels. When old friends come to visit, Tomoe really enjoys their company. She likes to go out to eat, take walks, and when it’s warmer going to the local ice cream shop. During the summer her younger son Ejyo, will come visit for a week from Boston, giving Yas and Christy some much needed vacation time. If you’re in the area please feel free to visit, email us at hokyoji@hokyoji.org for Christy’s number.
We invite you to make a donation to the RLF today. Your past support is received with deep gratitude. It has supported Tomoe-san to receive the home care services she relies on. We encourage monthly donations using our simple online tool. Just click here. You can also write a check with the memo “RLF” and send it to the address below. Your gift of any amount is deeply appreciated.
Gratefully yours,
Dokai Georgesen
Retired Leaders Fund Co-Chair
Myo On Susan Hagler
Retired Leaders Fund Co-Chair
Hokyoji Zen Practice Community
Attn: Retired Leaders Fund
2649 County 5
Eitzen, MN 55931
